Orbital has designed the rocket based on a long-standing experience with research, commercial and military rocket design. It has an optional third stage, can carry payloads over 5,000 kilos to Low Earth Orbit, and could be easily adapted for interplanetary space missions. Today it will just be launching a dummy mass to orbit to prove the tech works but two more launches to the ISS are planned for this year, one a qualification and check out flight, and one to deliver actual cargo.

Are you excited by the incredible pace of development in the brand new commercial space race? Would you ever consider paying for a ride–if you could afford it?